Electromagnetic branding machine



Jan. 13, 1931. c. o. CASTER ET AL 1,788,983

ELECTROMAGNETIC BRANDING MACHINE Filed May 1 l928 2 Sheets-Sheet, 1

Jan. 13, 1931. c. o. CASTER ET AL 1,788,983

ELECTROMAGNETIC BRANDING MACHINE Filed May ll 19,28

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Jan. 13, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE NEBRASKA, ASSIGNOBS 'I'O SWIFT 8n COMPANY, OF CHICAGO,

TION OF ILLINOIS ILLINOIS,- A CORPORA- nrmcraomaemrrc BRANDINC- micnmn This machine relates to the convenient and rapidly'operated mechanism for branding articles for the market, and the objects of the invention are to provide means for properly cushioning the brandingnmecha bra nlsm on the operating stroke, ng and cushioning the mechanism on the return stroke; to provide a spindle for the branding tool which is movable with respect to its operating mechanism to automatically adjust itself according to the height of the articles operated upon and to provide improvements in the platform or branding board ofthe machine whereby this board will automatically conform to the shape of an article resting upon the board and give according to the pressure applied by the branding device.

The objects of the invention are accomplished by a construction as shown in the drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of theimproved machine.

' Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the branding board.

Fig. 4 shows the board in elevation.

Fig. 5 shows details of the magnetic core of the solenoid.-

In its general features of construction, the machineshown comprises a table-top upon which rests a branding board composed of a plurality of resiliently depressible ba'rs so arranged as to adapt themselves to the conformation of an article placed upon the board. Above the board isa vertical recip rocating spindle having a chuck for carrying the branding tool or other marking de vice. This spindle is operated by a movable core element slidable within a pair of sole-' noid coils and against the action of cushioning springs. A cushion or brake device is provided for checking the return motion of the solenoid core. The branding tool spindle operated by the core has its stroke modi- Applioation filed Kay 11, 1928. Serial 1T0. 277,028.

fied according to the'height' of the article operated upon, by being mounted for relative motion with respect to the operating magnet core against spring action. The circuit of the solenoid coils is under the control of a switch operated by afoot treadle.

Referring to the drawings, the frame 1 of the machine supports a table 2 upon which rests a brandingv board 3. At its upper end,

the frame is provided with a bracket 4 forsupporting solenoid coils 5. The fixed base 6 for coils 5 is secured to the bracket 4: and

includes the core elements 7 extending part way into the bottom of the coils. The rfiov able core elements 8 of the electro-magnet' are yoked together by the member 9 form ing an armature which is'slidable on posts 11 extending upwardly from the fixed supporting member 6. The circuit for the coils 5 is controlled by a switch in box 12 andop erated by a bar 13. Bar 13 is depressible against the action of a spring 14 by foot' treadle 15. When the circuit is closed, the core elements 8 move toward the core elements 7, against the action of springs 16 surrounding the posts 11, tothe position'im dicated in Fig. 1.

The chuck 17 for the branding tool is carried by a vertically movable spindle 18, the upper end of which passes through anaperture 19 in the member '9 of the magnet core. A spring 20 coiled around the upper end of spindle 18 is compressed between a collar 20. Springs 16, together with a spring 23 serve to cushion the magnetcore on t e downstroke thereof. Spring 23 surrounds the spindle 18 and bears between the fixed in the movable part of .the core.

In order to cushion andbrake the movable I 7 core, under the action'of springs 16 and 23, upon its return stroke, the part 9 thereof has secured thereto a pair of depending brake elements 26 which are tapered'at their lower ends, as shown in Fig. 2, to offer increasing resistance at the endof the return stroke of the movable core by cooperating with spring pressed plates 27. The plates 27 are resiliently urged towards the members 26 by springs 28 surrounding the plate guide posts 29 which are screwed into supports 6 for the coils.

The branding board 3 rests upon table 2, bein spaced therefrom by the supporting the fixed mem ers 30 at the bottom of the board.

Centrally", the boardhas arectangular aperture 31 for receiving a nest of depressible bars 32 upon which arelplaced-the articles to be branded.- Each bar 32 is provided with a pairof downwardlg extending guide posts 33 passing throug apertures in a plate 34. Coil springs 35 surround the posts 33-and are compressed between the plate 34 and the bars 32 by the adjustment of nuts 36 at the bottom of the posts. Plate 34 rests upon a pair of dependin y'okes 37. The springs 35 are light enoug so that the bars 32 individually adjust themselves to conform to the shape of an article placed thereon and therefore serve to prevent an irregularly formed article from rocking upon the board under the pressure of the branding tool and also serve-to provide a resilient su port for such articles.

In the operatibn o the device, as articles are placed upon the branding board 3, foot trea e ,15 is depressed, thus causing the coils 5 to become energized and draw the movable core element downwardly as guided bythe posts 11 and 24. Through the yoke tool spindle 1,8 is pus ed downwardly unti the tool carried by chuck 17 engages the article on board 3. "i Further movement of the movable core element to the end of-its stroke results in the compression of the spring 20 or depression of the resiliently supported bars 32 of thebranding board. When the switch opens upon the release of treadle 15, the s rlngs 16 and 23 restore the movable core e ement which returns the branding tool spindle by engagement with the collar 21 thereof. At the end of its upward motion, the movable core element is Brought to astop by the brake elements 26 frictionally engaging the spring pressed plates 27.

rocation above said support, electro-mag netically operated means for imparting a uniform stroke to said tool holder, and a resilient connection between said means and tool holder for 'cushioning the action of the latter and arranged to permit a limitdrel ative movement therebetween.

2. In'a branding machine, a supporting frame, a tool holder mounted for vertical reciprocation in said frame, .electro-ma netic means for reciprocating said tool hol er,'a branding board below said tool holder, said branding board comprising a plurality of parallel independently tiltable and depressible bars, and means for resiliently supporting each of said bars for allowing self adjustmg of an article thereon by the action of said tool holder.

3. In a branding machine, a frame structure including a su port for articles operated upon, a tool older mounted for reciprocation above said support, electro-mag netio-operating means for said tool holder,

said armature and tool. older after an operation thereof, braking means for modifying the action of'said springs, said braking means comprising ta ered elements carried by said armature and relatively stationary means for frictionally engaging said tapered elements. l

4. ,In a branding machine, a frame structure including a support for articles operated upon, a tool holder mounted for reciprocation above said support, electro-magnetic operating means for said tool holder, said means including an armature, a resilient connection between said armature and said tool holder, s rings for restoring said armature and tool older after an operation thereof, braking means for modifying the action of said springs, said braking means comprising tapered elements carried by said armature and" relatively stationary means for frictionally engaging said tapered elements.

5. A branding machine comprising a supporting frame, a branding 'tool holder mounted for reciprocation in said frame, driving means for reciprocating said branding tool holder, a stationary su port com prising a lurality of bars yielda 1y mountedforre ative movement, a yieldable conmotion between said tool holder and driving means, said support and driving connection being cooperativg in subjecting articles of different thicknesses to substantially 5 the same brandin pressure.

Signed at Oma a; Nebraska, this 30th day of April, 1928.

UARENCE @RLAWQ @ASTER. vAUGUST HEQEflR SH'H'ZEESEERfiER 

